Chapter 5

Hearing Lana's words, Kylie looked at her in disbelief. She never expected that Lana would think of her this way. Was she so worthless in Lana's eyes? Kylie couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. "If I were really that capable, I wouldn't have been here, getting slapped by you." She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, before looking at Lana again. "Mom, whether you believe it or not, I have never said a single bad word about Charlotte in front of Mr. Ingram. I didn't even know she auditioned for 'Flower & Mist'." Lana became even angrier, her eyes widening. "You're still pretending! Your sister posted about it in the WhatsApp group early on, but how dare you say you didn't know!" At that moment, Charlotte Murphy, Kylie's sister, spoke up. "Mom, calm down. I believe Kylie didn't mean it. I've forgiven her, so please don't blame her anymore." Kylie looked up at Charlotte, feeling that this so-called consolation was extremely fake. Even if Kylie were to tell Lana now that she had never opened the family group chat and didn't see the message, Lana probably still wouldn't believe her. She had already decided Kylie must have said something to Marcus that made Charlotte lose the role, so no matter how much Kylie explained, it was pointless. Pointing at Charlotte, Lana snapped, "Look at how considerate Charlotte is! She's still standing up for you after all that you've done. How could you treat someone who's been so good to you like this? Have you lost your conscience?" Good to her? Heh. Kylie would have really thought Charlotte was a good sister, had it not been for that incident. Before Kylie could say anything, Lana added, "Since you refused to admit that you said something to Mr. Ingram, then tell me why you went to see him." Kylie's throat tightened as she spoke in a low tone. "It could be because I'm friends with him, or because I was invited to tour the recording studio. I could have ten thousand reasons to be there. Why do you have to assume I went there to hurt Charlotte, Mom?" At this point, she looked up at Charlotte. "Or did Charlotte tell you that?" Charlotte immediately looked hurt. "Kylie, h-how could you suspect me? I-I…" Lana fumed even more. "Enough! At a time like this, you still want to pin the blame on her! If her friend didn't see you visit Mr. Ingram, we'd still be kept in the dark!" Kylie narrowed her eyes slightly. Sure enough, Charlotte must have said something to Lana. Lana grabbed Kylie's clothes, pulling her over. "Apologize! You must apologize to Charlotte! Then, talk to Mr. Ingram and make sure he takes Charlotte back!" Every word out of Lana's mouth was like a sharp knife stabbing Kylie's heart. Lana was just that biased. Even though Kylie was her biological daughter, Charlotte was adopted. Looking down, Kylie took a deep breath. "I don't care if you believe me or not, but I didn't do it. I won't admit to something I didn't do, and I won't apologize, either." "Why y-you!" Lana was even more furious when she heard that. She raised her hand again. "Mom!" Charlotte quickly grabbed her hand. "No! Don't hit her! I forgive her! Please calm down!" Lana was so angry that the veins on her forehead were bulging. She pointed at Kylie and shouted, "Kylie, if you don't apologize to Charlotte, then don't come back to this house!" Upon hearing Lana's words, Kylie looked up, staring at her in disbelief. After all that, Lana still didn't believe her. There was no way Kylie would apologize. Never. Her expression gradually returned to calmness. Without saying another word, she turned and walked off. Charlotte's pupils contracted slightly. Kylie didn't compromise? … In the past, the moment Kylie heard Lana say something like that, she would have apologized on the spot, but this time… Lana was also stunned. She had been confident that Kylie would give in, but… She felt as if she had been slapped in the face, humiliated. Enraged, Lana stormed over to the coffee table and grabbed a glass cup lid, hurling it hard at Kylie's back. The lid struck Kylie squarely on the right shoulder blade. She hadn't expected Lana to do something like that. The pain made her stumble forward. Her body swayed several times before she managed to steady herself, albeit barely. A sharp pain radiated from her shoulder blade, but the physical pain couldn't compare to even one percent of the pain in her heart. Charlotte had a frightened expression, covering her mouth with her hand and crying, "Kylie! Are you okay?" Lana was still raging as she glared at Kylie, threatening, "Get out! If you've got such an attitude, then leave! And if you leave, don't come back!" At her words, Kylie's eyes instantly turned red. She fought back her tears and stepped forward, walking out firmly and resolutely. "Kylie!" "Let her go! I want to see just how tough she really is!" Lana's merciless voice came from behind her. After leaving the villa and getting back into her car, Kylie could no longer hold back her tears. They spilled from her eyes uncontrollably. She covered her chest with one hand. It ached so much. She felt as if a knife was gouging her heart one cut at a time. Why did Lana have to treat her this way? Kylie was her biological daughter. Why couldn't Lana give her even a little bit of trust? Was it just because… Kylie hadn't grown up with her?